Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Could Kevin Durant Really Win MVP?
Nov 6, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates a basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images|Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant is 6th in MVP odds after leading the Phoenix Suns to a 7-1 start that included the best defense of his Suns tenure and several clutch baskets.
Could he really win the award?
On today’s episode, we break down Durant’s case. His box score numbers are right up there with the rest of his prime, and he certainly has the highlight moments to put him in the early spotlight.
As for the narrative, Durant may have his detractors in the NBA world. But a 36-year-old putting together his best season since a major injury, pulling a team out of the mud and back into championship contention is a heck of a story.
The issue may come from how little Durant has to do for the Suns to win. Not only does he play alongside two other All-Stars in Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but new head coach Mike Budenholzer has installed a system that helps the Suns win games even without their stars dominating every night. Already this season, Durant has games of just 18 and 21 points — both wins.
Ahead of him in the odds, players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic lead teams that figure to be of a similar caliber as the Suns. What might put them ahead of Durant is that each of them carries far more responsibility for their teams. Those three players are “heliocentric” guys whose No. 2 options are not as consistently great as Booker.
Those factors could work against Durant, but if he keeps piling up numbers, moments and wins, he will be in the conversation all season long.
The Nuggets did it (Nikola Jokic did it), the Warriors did it (the death lineup and defensive efficiency), the Celtics did it (switching one through five, pre-switching, neutralizing open lanes), and now the Thunder are doing it.
It’s been described as pestering, smothering, swarming, but I‘d like to put “car wash” into consideration. That’s the set up awaiting opponents. The car (the opposing team) gets locked into those self-driving tracks and the gauntlet begins. Lu Dort and Alex Caruso appear as those cylindrical spinning brushes, stripping the ball outright and early or else funnelling players into the next wave of guards. Pressure continues from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams but it becomes more targeted, thinking of the jet streams of water now being directed at the car from every angle — and those spinning whirlwinds of Caruso and Dort haven’t relented.
If, somehow, an opposing player finds a sliver of daylight in the so-small-its-micro-ball switching scheme the Thunder are playing, if they manage to get out from the many hands reaching in, pressuring, forcing turnovers, then they will meet Chet Holmgren at the rim. Holmgren is like those long, slapping shammy tentacles that come down on the hood, sides and roof of the car from every angle, though his reach and hands are much more expertly deployed. The Thunder have a defensive rating of 96.5 (for context the Warriors, at second best, seem light-years behind with a respectable 103.8) and lead the league in steals (13.4) and blocks (7.3). The cars are coming out spotless, utterly worked.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Trade The Rockets are eyeing a Suns superstar as a potential trade target, which could reshape both teams’ futures. (Sporting News)
Preview The Phoenix Suns face the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center at 8:30pm ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Injury The Suns’ Ryan Dunn is doubtful after spraining his ankle, impacting team depth and strategy. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Watch Defense wins games? Here’s an insightful breakdown of OKC’s defensive schemes. (Thinking Basketball)
Must Read The Influence of Sedona Price: Take a fascinating look at the domino effect of NIL on college athletics, women’s sports, social media and athlete health. (The New Yorker)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Impact of Miles Bridges’ Injury
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) holds his knee after a collision at the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Spectrum Center.|Photo by Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
With only three games on Thursday, there was ample time to delve into the latest injury news and its implications for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Their Impact
Miles Bridges’ knee injury is a significant concern. After initially returning to play, he’s now sidelined for at least two weeks with a knee bone bruise. This situation opens up opportunities for other players. With Nick Richards and Mark Williams also out, Taj Gibson steps in as the starting centre. Grant Williams, who has been getting centre minutes, will likely shift to playing more at the four, alongside Tidjane Salaun. This reshuffling could push Williams into a more prominent role, making him a potential pick-up in 12-team leagues.
The absence of Bridges also means increased usage for Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Tre Mann is another player to watch; holding onto him could be beneficial as the team adjusts to these injuries.
Ja Morant’s hamstring injury is another blow, with expectations of a two-week absence. Memphis’ injury reporting is notoriously vague, so fantasy managers should prepare for an extended period without Morant. Tyrese Maxey’s situation is similar, with the Sixers indicating a reevaluation in a week, but realistically, it could be longer. Kyle Lowry is a suitable replacement in the meantime.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Is Kevin Durant the MVP Favorite Plus What the Ryan Dunn Injury Means For the Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant put the Phoenix Suns on his back in their 7-1 start, leaving them at the top of the Western Conference. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia debate whether KD is the favorite for NBA MVP before reacting to Ryan Dunn being doubtful on Friday with a left ankle sprain. Finally, a look at the rest of the West so far.
Phoenix Suns Are Clutch Killers Again As Kevin Durant Slays Heat & Jusuf Nurkic Bounces Back
The Phoenix Suns came back from a 15-point deficit to beat the Miami Heat in another clutch game led by Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the W, including a big third quarter run, KD’s brilliance late, Nurk’s bounceback, and an injury for Ryan Dunn.
Everything We Got Wrong About the Phoenix Suns From Their Hot Start
The Phoenix Suns are 6-1 and looking good, but from Jusuf Nurkic to Ryan Dunn to Mike Budenholzer, their hot start isn’t going exactly how we thought. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down all the parts of the Suns’ first two weeks that went much differently than expected. And why.
